I have been doing some reading on here lately about them and the problems with the blown engines, spark plugs shooting out of the heads, etc.

I was looking at getting one for a daily driver/ work truck, but now I'm not so sure.

What are the chances that I'm going to have major porblems with one? I would drive it daily, take it on long trips, occasionally tow a one car trailer and occasionally go to the drag strip just to screw around. Mods, if any, would be very minimal, such as exhaust or an intake, maybe a pulley because I can't have a daily driver that's down.

Are these trucks reliable only if they are bone stock? Or can they handle small mods like I mentioned above?

Thanks!!

 

I have 25,000 on my 03 with no problems. There are no recalls as far as I am aware for the 03 model.
When you look for one, find one that has been serviced regularly, looks obviously well cared for and run a carfax.
The 03 does have the 8 thread plug holes instead of the 4 thread of the 02's but that doesn't neccesarily mean that you will launch a plug.
Mine is a daily driver, had engine mods and runs a high 13.

Go for it

 

well this is just my opinion, since the Harleys have 5.4L supercharged engines, might make a fast, but bad on fuel daily driver. But they look amazing dont they? lol. I'd get a '03 since alot of '03s are better than the '02s and below.

 

Nope. My HD is no less economical on a daily basis than our old works truck withj a n/a 5.4.

If you stay out of the boost that is

 

Or did he mean HeavyDuty?

and i wouldnt think the s/c harley is any worse off then any other truck if driven without a lead foot.
-Patrick

 

I have a 03 model and so far I've only had one issue which I posted here.

My engine light came on and it came to be a bad thermostat and it stuck in the open position causing the engine to run at a lower temp.

Other than that I'm happy with it. It now has about 25k on it. As for as gas mileage, it does ok on the highway and compared to other vehicles in it's class. Just don't push it to hard all the time and you'll be fine on gas. I have no mods other than a K&N air filter.

JD

 

I understand that they don't get good mileage. Hell, any full size truck gets relatively poor mileage. I've owned 5 full size truck before, including a Ford SD dually.

This whole "spark plug popping out of the head" thing has me worried. And because of that, I have also been looking towards an 03 Silverado SS. I owned an '03 Silverado before, and they are actually nice trucks. I'd prefer a HD, but I can't have any problems with my daily driver/ work truck.

I was looking towards an '02 Harley rather than an 03 because they are quite a bit less money.

 

The 02 and under heads have had the problems. The 03 got the heads with more threads but I wouldn't let that put you off buying one.
There are thousands of 97-02 trucks running arund that have not spit a plug.
If it bothers you, get one and take it to a dealer and have them change the plugs.